California and Southwest

Approximately one-third of the firm’s cases are tried outside of Oregon. Our reputation for providing out-of-state clients with the highest quality legal representation at cost effective “Pacific Northwest” rates is no longer a well-kept secret.

From patent litigation to contract disputes, defamation cases to class actions, we have tried and arbitrated cases throughout California and the Southwest.

For example, our trial lawyers were brought in, one week before a two-week bench trial, to serve as lead counsel in a $65 million contract dispute in Clark County, Nevada Circuit Court. We obtained a full prayer for our client and defeated the defendant’s counterclaims.

In another example, the firm opened a temporary office in Salt Lake City, Utah, staying over the course of a lengthy dispute, to represent a significant client.

U.S. District Court, Nevada

Sports Licensed Division of adidas Group LLC v. Elite Apparel

Represented adidas in Clark County, Nevada District Court in a breach of contract dispute. adidas sued the defendant company for its failure to pay for more than $500,000 worth of merchandise, and sued to collect on a personal guaranty. The defendant counterclaimed for the value of the loss of the business, in the amount of $65,000,000. After a nearly two-week bench trial, the judge ruled in our client’s favor awarding the full prayer, plus attorneys’ fees against both the business and its personal guarantor. The defendant received nothing for its counterclaims.

U.S. District Court, Central District of California

Power Buying Dealers Western Region, Inc. v. Boyd Coffee Company

Represented Boyd Coffee Company in a jury trial defending a three million dollar claim for breach of contract, tortious interference and theft of trade secrets by a marketing company providing volume purchasing services to ExxonMobil dealers in the western United States. Representation resulted in a defense verdict in a bifurcated trial and a favorable settlement on the remaining claims after trial.

California Expanded Metals Company v. Clarkwestern Dietrich, et al.

Represented the inventor of an innovative fire-stopping technology used in the construction industry. The case involved multiple claims and counter-claims for breach of licensing agreements, patent infringement, and business torts.

Renée Rothauge was hired on the eve of trial to defend Seirus Innovation Accessories in its ongoing, five-year battle with Columbia Sportswear. Columbia sued Seirus alleging it infringed its Omni-Heat Technology. After a 13-day jury trial, Seirus scored a significant victory when the jury invalidated Columbia’s asserted Omni-Heat patent claims and found no willful infringement by Seirus. Seirus was ordered to pay Columbia $3 million for infringing a minor design patent.

Executive Security Management, Inc. et al. v. Jack Dahl

Represented the plaintiff when shareholders and former employees disrupted the successful security credentialing business by suing them for breach of fiduciary duty, tortious interference with economic relationships and violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. Obtained a favorable settlement after summary judgment rulings.

Mila Enterprises, Inc., et al. v. ScanlanKemperBard Companies, et al.

Defended real estate investment firm against 40 investors in a four-week arbitration alleging rescission, fraudulent concealment, breach of fiduciary duty and negligence in regards to real estate investment losses. After the third week of arbitration, we filed a motion for directed verdict on behalf of our client. The panel granted our motion on all claims and dismissed all claims against our client. The panel went beyond the narrow confines of the motion and additionally found that no fraudulent misrepresentations had been made and that any losses were caused by the economic downturn.

Power Buying Dealers Western Region, Inc. v. Boyd Coffee Company

Represented Boyd Coffee Company in a jury trial defending a three million dollar claim for breach of contract, tortious interference and theft of trade secrets by a marketing company providing volume purchasing services to ExxonMobil dealers in the western United States. Representation resulted in a defense verdict in a bifurcated trial and a favorable settlement on the remaining claims after trial.

Sports Licensed Division of adidas Group LLC v. Elite Apparel

Represented adidas in Clark County, Nevada District Court in a breach of contract dispute. adidas sued the defendant company for its failure to pay for more than $500,000 worth of merchandise, and sued to collect on a personal guaranty. The defendant counterclaimed for the value of the loss of the business, in the amount of $65,000,000. After a nearly two-week bench trial, the judge ruled in our client’s favor awarding the full prayer, plus attorneys’ fees against both the business and its personal guarantor. The defendant received nothing for its counterclaims.

Represented Hollywood Entertainment against multi-million dollar claims for damages for breach of revenue sharing agreement for distribution of videocassettes. Hollywood counterclaimed for discrepancies in accounting and antitrust violations. Settled during second week of trial.